Oslo:Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has expressed her admiration for Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, following her receipt of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Kubayi highlighted this achievement as a moment of pride not only for South Africa but for the entire African continent.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award in recognition of Pillay's commitment to promoting peace and upholding international law. The award underscores her lifetime of dedicated service to justice and human dignity, marking her as a distinguished figure in these fields.
Pillay has a storied career, having represented President Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists. She was the first non-white woman appointed to South Africa's High Court in 1995 and went on to serve as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, a judge of the International Criminal Court, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Currently, she serves as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice. Her work, including contributions to the landmark Akayesu judgment, has played a significant role in recognizing rape and sexual violence as acts of genocide.
In awarding the prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasized Pillay's influence in developing an international system of law and order, recognizing her judicial rigour, personal integrity, and courage. Kubayi lauded Pillay's lifelong dedication to justice, noting that her work embodies the values of equality and freedom enshrined in the South African Constitution.